BURBANK (CBS) — Principal filming has begun on “Argo,” a film starring and directed by Ben Affleck based on the real-life story of a covert operation to rescue six Americans from Iran.

The film is being produced by Affleck, George Clooney and Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck”).

“Argo” focuses on six Americans who managed to escape capture when militants stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979, taking 52 other Americans hostage. The escapees manage to find refuge at the home of the Canadian ambassador, and a CIA operative (Affleck) comes up with a plan to smuggle them out of the country before they are found and killed.

The film also stars Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston and John Goodman.

Principal photography began in Los Angeles, with future filming planned in Washington, D.C., and Istanbul.